All creatures great and small were welcomed at a special church service.

Rishton Methodist Church invited parishioners to bring along their beloved companions to its first ever ‘pet service’, evoking scenes reminiscent of the famous episode in the TV sitcom The Vicar of Dibley.

Deacon Katharine Hays, who led the service, said it was a great family and community event and helped attract new visitors to the church.

She said: “It was a really good service. We weren’t sure who were going to come but we had quite a lot of people.

“We had quite a lot of dogs, and stick insects of various types. People brought in pictures of cats because cats don’t particularly like being transported.

“It’s happened in lots of other places but it’s never been done in Rishton before and it was an opportunity for people who wouldn’t normally come to church to come.

“We had some new people who we have never seen before and most of them were attracted by the fact it was a pet service.

“It was a really nice family and community feel and we will probably do it again next year.”